5-year-old accidentally shoots brother, 7, with rifle

Parents could face charges

Updated 1:59 am, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

The shooting took place at a home along Lyons and Sam Wilson on Tuesday evening. (Mike Glenn/Chronicle)

The shooting took place at a home along Lyons and Sam Wilson on Tuesday evening. (Mike Glenn/Chronicle)

5-year-old accidentally shoots brother, 7, with rifle

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An east Houston boy is expected to recover after his younger brother shot him inside their home, Houston police said.

The boy, 7, was shot with a .22 rifle about 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the family's home along Lyons and Sam Wilson. He was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital. Police at the scene said the child's wounds did not appear to be life-threatening.

HPD officials said the 7-year-old and his brother were in the bathtub when their mother stepped away for a moment. The younger boy then got out of the tub and found the rifle — an old and rusty bolt-action .22.

The younger boy was apparently playing with the rifle when it fired, striking his brother in the lower back area, police said.

Their father returned home after the shooting and is being questioned. Depending on the investigation, both parents may face charges for leaving the rifle unsecured, police said.

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